Chaos on Ice: Roughing, Slashing, and Spearing
**What Happens During a Hockey Game?**
Let’s talk about ice hockey, a game full of action and, unfortunately, a fair share of penalties. When players aren’t focused on scoring goals, they might find themselves in trouble for roughing, slashing, spearing, elbowing, butt-ending, head-butting, kneeing, tripping, hooking, fighting, clipping, and boarding. It’s part of the reason why hockey ranks third in injuries among young athletes and why injuries have doubled over the past 15 years.
Even though these penalties contribute to the sport’s rough reputation, most injuries happen from accidents rather than intentional hits. According to the British Journal of Sports Medicine, 66% of on-ice injuries are accidental, caused by players crashing into each other, the goalposts, the boards, or from falls and being struck by pucks, sticks, or skate blades.
Hockey is fast-paced and high-impact, meaning just about any body part can get hurt, even with all the protective gear. Head injuries are the most common, but knees are also at high risk. The medial collateral ligament (MCL) in the knee is particularly vulnerable because of the pressure on the skater’s knee during gameplay and frequent hits from the side.
MCL injuries, often called sprains, come in three grades:
1. **Grade I**: The least severe, with only a few ligament fibers affected.
2. **Grade II**: More ligament fibers are damaged, but the ligament is still intact.
3. **Grade III**: The most severe, where the ligament is completely torn.
If you play hockey and take a hard hit to the knee, you could end up with a sprained MCL. Besides the immediate pain, you might notice swelling and bruising a day or two after the injury, and your knee might feel unstable. It’s crucial to see a doctor promptly because ignoring the pain can make things worse. Don’t just try to “walk it off” or rely on painkillers.
The silver lining is that surgery isn’t usually needed for MCL injuries, and you can be back on the ice soon, depending on the severity.
– **Grade I sprains** generally heal with rest, ice, compression, elevation (R.I.C.E.), and anti-inflammatory meds like ibuprofen. You can expect to recover in about one to two weeks.
– **Grade II sprains** might require a hinged knee brace to support the knee while healing, along with R.I.C.E. treatment. Recovery typically takes three to four weeks.
– **Grade III sprains** involve R.I.C.E., a hinged knee brace, crutches, physical therapy, and sometimes surgery. This more severe injury could sideline you for around three months.
By understanding these common injuries and their treatments, you can be better prepared to take care of yourself and get back to the game you love.
